Married 1st to
Mary Bane on 11 September 1730 at Goshen Meeting House,

Chester County, Pennsylvania. Married 2nd to Lucretia Reese/Rees Griffith between
29 May and 29 August 1751 in Augusta County, Virginia.

Father: Speculation
exists. No Burks attended or were witnesses to James Burk's wedding, despite
reports of one or more Burks in the area. Names given to his children do not
seem to follow strict Quaker naming patterns.

The spelling "Burk" appears to be the
most correct form for James Burk, since both his 1783 will and 1730 Quaker
marriage records spelled it "Burk." Other original references
reinforce this spelling. At this time, I do not know how, when, or if the
spelling became "Burke," i.e. Burkes Garden. For our purposes, both
Burk and Burke are interchangeable.

Use of Burk/Burke Middle
Names and Initials

A word of caution is needed here. Some websites
use middle names or middle initials for Burk and his son(s). Middle names were
not very common during the 18th century which raises questions. We need source
identification and authentication.

Why James Burk
Begins the Morphew Story

Before North Carolina, our
Morphew ancestor trail nearly vanishes. James Burk is the father-in-law for
our earliest known Morphew and is easily traceable. He is ancestor to nearly
all Morphews in the United States. Burk’s story is an adventure as exciting
as any that Daniel Boone could have told.

Burke Immigration
and Chester County, Pennsylvania

James Burk (Burke) was born in Ireland, roughly 1705
or earlier, and immigrated to America before he was married. His father is questionably
reported to be John Burk (Bourk, Bourke, Burke), who also immigrated to America.
Proof is lacking.

1730
September 11: James Burk married Mary Bane at the Quaker Goshen Meeting House
in Chester County, Pennsylvania. No other Burkes witnessed the wedding, which
raises doubts about a reported father in this county. Quaker details of this
Burk-Bane Quaker marriage can be found in the Bane Chapter (1F).

1734
February 27: A land warrant was issued to James Burk for 195 acres in East
Bradford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Surveyor was John Taylor who
dated his work 10 May 1735. An appended note stated that "the above warrant
was vacated by a warrant to Richard Woodward which was dated 1st December 1742.
Later in 3 July 1734, brother-in-law Mordecai Bean also received a Chester
County warrant for 200 acres.

To the southwest of Chester County, vast tracts of
land were just opening up along western Virginia’s mighty Shenandoah and
Roanoke rivers. These wilderness lands offered untouched forests, rich river
valleys, and of course, hostile Indians.

The first years in Augusta County for James Burk
and his wife Mary were probably spent with her brothers, James and Isaac Bean
(Bane), along the Roanoke River. In those days, the nearest government
administration was 75 or more miles to their north at Staunton. Unless Augusta
County had a roaming Circuit Court, Burk spent a lot of time traveling between
his home and the county seat at Stanton as noted in numerous county court
records.

1742:
James Burk joined the Augusta County Militia in Virginia and was in Captain
George Robinson’s Company. The local militia was needed to control hostile
Indians in the valleys. Within old Augusta County lies a city known as Front
Royal. This name derives from the days of James Burk, when the local troops
were called to order with the command, “Front the Royal Oak!”

Burk living on the
Roanoke River in 1746

Near today's
Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Virginia

1746
November 19: Citizens were ordered to assist road construction in Augusta
County. Names included James Burk, his brother-in-law James Bean (Bane),
Methuselah Griffith and sons, Ephraim Voss (Vause) and his servants, George
Robinson, William Beus (Buis, Bewes) and his brother (Thomas Buis), Taskor and
Thomas Tosh, Samuel Neely, and more than 15 others. This road would be
constructed from a ridge dividing the waters of New River from the waters of
the South Branch of the Roanoke to end in a road that heads over the Blue
Ridge. Overseers for the road were James Campbell and Mark Evans.

In colonial times, taxes were often issued in the
form of work, and in fairness to the English administration at Staunton, a road
tithable was usually issued to people living on or near the proposed road. It
was to the advantage of these people to construct the road, since it really
served their needs. However, James Burk protested to the colonial
administrator at Staunton. As a matter of fact, he protested so much and with
such language, he was charged on 10 June 1747 as a “common swearer” in the
Augusta Parish Registry Book and fined ten shillings, with Colonel James Patton
being his security.

1747
February 26: Augusta County Court named James Burk administrator for the estate
of his brother-in-law Isaac Bean – deceased. James Burk was "his greatest
creditor." James Campbell, Ephraim Voss, James Nealy, and Ervin
Patterson, or any three of them, would be selected by the Augusta County Court
to appraise his small estate.

1748
May 21: We don’t know when his wife Mary died, but it could be 1748 and her
loss greatly troubled him. On 21 May 1748, Augusta County Court charged Burk
with disturbing divine service, and the case is brought before the court many
times when he was absent. Finally, the problem is settled by paying one pound
to the Sheriff for Burk’s fine in 1755, almost eight years later.

Burk's Lands in Augusta County, Virginia

James Burk received two land patents (grants) on
the same day in 1748. Processing grants takes several years and he probably
was already living on them. Where did he live? Grant and deed clues can be
used to find his actual location.

1748
September 20: Virginia State Land Office granted James Burk, 100(?) acres in
Augusta County on the south side of Goose Creek beginning in William
Campbell's line...to near the mouth of a branch (unnamed).....

1748
September 20: Virginia State Land Office granted James Burk, 400 acres on north
side Goose Creek on the west side of the Blue Ridge to a mouth of
a branch on the north side of Goose Creek.

1753 March 21:
James Patton deeded Augusta County land to Henry Brown, Sr., 50 acres from
Patton's original patent dated 3 November 1750. This land was on or near Lick
Run of Roanoke adjacent to a corner of James Burke.

1753 May 18: James
Burk deeded 117 acres to James Bane, both of Augusta County, part of a
tract patented to Burke, 20th September 1748, on the north side of
Goose Creek, Augusta County, beginning at a double back on the bend of the
creek... and runneth down (it). Signed: James (x – his mark) Burk.
Witnesses: William Preston, James Patton, George Robinson, George McSwine.
Court: 30 May 1753.

1760 August 20 - Augusta County: Henry Brown and Alice deeded to
Ester Brown for 5 pounds, 54 acres by patents, 3 November 1750, on a branch of
Roanoke called Lick Run (to a) corner (of) James Burk.

Where Were Burk’s Goose Creek Lands?

Burk's Goose Creek lands were formerly
thought to be located in today's Bedford County or Floyd County. Peggy
Morphew points out that the author Patricia Givens Johnson wrote: Burk
"had settled on the Roanoke River at present (day) Salem, Roanoke County,
Virginia.*

* Settlers from Delaware River Come to Roanoke and New River, by
Patricia Givens Johnston, 1995, page 98. Thanks go to Peggy Morphew for
pointing this out in 30 November 2009

James Burk, Ephraim Vause (Voss),
Charles Campbell, James Patton, and James Wood had early land grants on Goose
Creek. Goose Creek is now confirmed as an alternate name for that part of
Roanoke River which runs through today's Roanoke City in Roanoke
City-County.**

** Evidence can
be found the following deeds; (1) Tasker Tosh to Thomas Tosh on 28 May 1750,
120 acres on north bank of Roanoke River, "commonly called Goose Creek of
Roanoke" and (2). William Martin to John Walker, Jr., 3 August 1753, 359
acres on "Mudlick Run of Roanoke, otherwise called Goose Creek. Iron
mine." Augusta County Deed Book #3, pages 355 & 401 as mentioned in
Chalkley's Chronicles, Volume #3, page 295 and 316.

Burk’s south bank land was near
Lick Run which should be today’s Mud Lick Creek. This creek flows northwest to
empty into the Roanoke River (Goose Creek) within today's City of Roanoke. Burk’s
north bank lands are assumed nearby, but this is not certain. One half mile
to the west is Peter's Creek where it empties into the Roanoke River. James
Bean/Bane (Burk’s brother-in-law) had 190 acres on a branch of Peter's Creek,
thought to be within the north central city limits of today's Roanoke.

A neighbor, Ephraim Vause (Voss)
of Vause’s Fort had 3 land grants in 1748 and 1749; two on Goose Creek, and one
further west on South Fork of the Roanoke River. He built Vauses Fort on the
South Fork land, which was located at today's Shawsville, Montgomery County,
Virginia. Burk's step-son "Morris Griffith - Vauses Fort" escaped
from Indians in 1755. On 25 June 1756, Fort Vause was over-run by Indians
under French guidance with many killed and up to 150 captured and taken
prisoner to Indian villages.

Colonel James
Patton's Survey Party – 1748

In the middle of May 1748, a large survey and
exploring party was organized by Colonel James Patton, age 58, to explore
southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee. His party consisted of Colonel John
Buchanan who was his son-in-law, Dr. Thomas Walker (age 33), Colonel James
Wood, and Major Charles Campbell. Jobs were offered to the adventurous since
the party needed guides, chain carriers, ax men, and cooks. Among this group is
James Burk and a certain “J. Murphey or Js. Murphey” who must be our earliest
known Morphew. This trip must not be confused with one undertaken in 1750 by
Dr. Thomas Walker. The 1748 expedition started out from Colonel Patton’s home
near the present-day Waynesboro. No known diary exists of their movements and
accomplishments, but the original surveys and notes may still exist at the
Augusta County courthouse. This first expedition surveyed lands in Holston and
Clinch River Valleys in far southwestern Virginia.

On 2 November 1748, a large snow caught the party
while returning home, and they spent the night at a spot later known as Burkes
Garden, which is still found on the maps in present-day Tazewell County,
Virginia. Today, Burkes Garden is considered to be one of the biologically
richest areas of the state. According to Colonel Thomas L. Preston, “It was
late in the fall and the next morning, after reaching the Garden, a heavy snow
had fallen and they determined to suspend their surveying until the next
year. After cooking breakfast, a man named Burke, who was in the party as an
axman or chain-carrier, cleared away the place where their fire had been made
and planted a lot of potato peelings, covering them lightly with brush.” The
following spring or summer, Patton and Buchanan accompanied by William Ingles,
returned to the survey lands and found a large bed of potatoes where Burke had
planted and they gave it the name of “Burke’s Garden.”

“Annals of
Augusta County, Virginia,” by Joseph A. Waddell, 1885

Peggy Morphew recently found a
Tazewell County article reviewing a long legal fight over ownership for Burkes
Garden, beginning in 1781 many years after Burk migrated to North Carolina.
Court records did not involve Burk directly, but Peggy located a survey diagram
showing James Burk with 400 acres within Burkes Garden. Burk could never get
this land finalized into a Virginia Land Grant or deed. ^

Johnson states Burk at some point
in time sold these 400 acres to the Ingles Brothers. Because they didn't have
a clear title, the Ingles eventually went to court against the heirs of James
Patton. The latter claimed Burk had promised to show Patton about 16,000 acres
of good land to survey in exchange for ten pounds and 400 acres. Patton
claimed his surveyors saw only about 4000 worthwhile acres and claimed Burk did
not earn the land. ^^

1748 December
13: James Burk, Methasuleh Griffith, and others were purchasers on the Daniel
Monohan’s estate sale.

Pioneering
Draper's Meadows (Today’s Blacksburg, Va.) - 1749+ to 1753

Soon after this time, Burk moved
again. This time he joined some friends and as reported by Joseph A. Waddell:
“The Ingleses for the first time encountered the Draper family, who had settled
on the James River at Pattonsburg. This family consisted of George Draper, his
wife, and his children John and Mary. While living at Pattonsburg, George
Draper went out hunting, and was never heard of again. About the year 1749,
the Ingles, Drapers, Adam Harman, Henry Leonard, and James Burke, removed from
the James River and settled near the present town of Blacksburg in Montgomery
County. They called the place Draper’s Meadows. William Ingles and Mary Draper
were married in 1750, and Bettie Robertson in 1754. The marriages no doubt
took place in Staunton, as there was no minister nearer Draper’s Meadows
authorized to perform the ceremony.”

“Annals of
Augusta County, Virginia,” by Joseph A. Waddell, 1885

The settlement at Draper’s Meadows
and their homes were built upon the present site and lands of the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg at the west edge of the
city. Hale goes on to say that John Draper later purchased another piece of
land in 1765 that could cause confusion with Draper’s Meadows. This later New
River land is still called Draper and Draper Valley, and is about 2.5 miles
southwest of Pulaski, Pulaski County, Virginia and about 25 miles WSW from
Blacksburg. Draper is separated from Draper Mountain by Draper Valley Road.
About 5 miles east is a small stream called Burk’s Run.

“TransAlleghany
Pioneers,” by John Hale, 1886

Marriage of Mary
Burk, Daughter of James Burk

An unidentified source on Family
History Library reported Joseph Morphew married Mary Burk, daughter of James
Burk, on 9 October 1749 in Bedford County. Both the first name of Joseph Morphew
and the location are now disputed, but the exact marriage date is still
worthwhile.

James Burk Marries
a Second Time

Between 29 May and 29 August 1751,*
James Burk married the second time to Lucretia Griffith, widow of Methusalem
Griffith, who died in 1748/49. Methusalem and Burke had worked the same road
tithable several years before. It is not known where the marriage took place.
However on August 29, 1751, Augusta County records state that Lucretia Griffith
was administrator for her husband and had since married James Burk.

* Augusta County Order Book II, page 579
and Book III, page 169.

1751 August
19: James Burk took William Brookshire to court for debt. * Brookshire
"II" had or would become the husband of Honora Burk, his daughter.

* Augusta County Order Book III, page
170.

Move to Burk's
Garden About 1753

1753 May 18: James
Burk deeded 117 acres to James Bane, brother to his first wife, part of a tract
patented to Burk 20th September 1748, on Goose Creek, otherwise
known as the Roanoke River.

During this year 1753, James Burk
and stepson Morris Griffith were reported in Burkes Garden, 30 miles west of
the Draper site or 50 miles from Blacksburg. Burk had moved to Burkes Garden
about June 1753 with several other settlers. This land had been surveyed and
was owned by James Patton who was killed by Indians at Draper's Meadows in
1755.

Indians Destroy
Draper's Meadows - 1755

During the next two years, Indian
raids worsened: “As a result of Braddock’s July 1755 defeat on the Monongehela
with 777 killed and wounded at the hands of French and Indians, the whole
frontier of western Virginia was thrown open to the ravages of Indians, who
crossed the Alleghanies and pushed into Augusta County, the lower valley and
New River settlements, torturing and murdering men, women and children.... Not
withstanding that Draper’s Meadows settlement was far from the Ohio, and
apparently safe for any probability of attack from any quarter, and although
these settlers must have been aware that war was then being waged by the
Indians against the whites, they took no reasonable precaution for their
safety, but on Sunday, 8 July 1755, the day before Braddocks defeat on the
Monongahela, they permitted themselves to be surprised by a band of marauding
Shawnees from the north of the Ohio, who killed, wounded, and captured every
person present. Killed were Colonel James Patton, Mrs. George Draper, Casper
Barrier, a child of John Draper, and James Call. Wounded were Mrs. William
Ingles, Mrs. John Draper, and Henry Leonard captured.”

“History of
Middle New River Settlements” by David E. Johnston, 1906

What Happened to
the Burks During These Years

1755: The
Preston Register mentioned in 1755 the following: “__ Burk, Holston River,
prisoner who escaped.” This person may be our Burk or one of his sons. In
either case, it probably gave Burk sufficient cause for alarm. This Preston
Register also records on August 12, 1755: “Morris Griffith, (of) Vause’s Fort,
prisoner, escaped.”

“Preston
Register” of persons killed, wounded, or taken prisoner by Indians, possibly
kept by Captain William Preston

1755 May 21: Augusta
County Court records mention James Burk to be a plaintiff versus defendant Ervin
Patterson in a lease dispute. The two agreed upon resolution and the suit was
dismissed.

“Burk had moved with his family
into the Garden in 1754, cleared up some land, and planted a crop, including
potatoes, and in the fall of 1755 was driven out on account of fear of Indians
and left his crop of potatoes in the ground which Lewis’s men found the next
spring and appropriated. Burk had killed a large number of deer, elk, and
bear, and had tanned a number of hides, which he took with him when he left in
the fall of 1755.”

“History
of Middle New River Settlements” by David E. Johnston, 1906

Indian Problems in
Burke's Garden 1755-1760

“On his way out with his family, he camped one
night in old hunter’s cabin near what is now Sharon Springs in the new County
of Bland, Virginia. The Indians followed him, and on their way killed two
hunters in their camp. On approaching Burk’s cabin and seeing several horses,
and the tanned hides rolled up in the cabin, they came to the conclusion that
there were too many people for them to attack and contented themselves with
cutting of the throat on one of Burk’s horses.”

“History
of Middle New River Settlements” by David E. Johnston, 1906

Captain William Preston was now
empowered to hunt down these Indians and wrote in his diary of the Sandy Creek
Expedition (with spelling improvements, etc): “Sunday, February 15th,
1756, Old James Burk brought word that Robert Looney was killed, nigh Alex
Sawyers, and he had himself one horse shot and five taken away by Shawnee
Indians and that he thought from the signs he saw that they were not above four
Indians that had done ye above. Upon which there was immediately a Council of
War held and it was concluded to send a detachment of 60 white men and 40
Indians out tomorrow morning (as scouts). About noon, the Reverend Mr. Brown
gave us a military sermon, with his text being 2nd book of Samuel,
chapter VX, which was excellently treated upon and at night our Indians danced
a grand war dance.”

Preston continues: “February 24th:
Crossed two mountains and arrived at Burkes Garden. Had plenty of potatoes
which soldiers gathered in the deserted plantations.... Burkes Garden is a
tract of land of 5000 or 6000 acres, as rich and fertile as any I ever saw, as
well watered with many beautiful streams, and is surrounded with mountains
almost impassible.” Preston was mentions: “April 27, 1758, William Burk,
South Branch (of Shenandoah River) was killed.” * This Burk lived about 125
miles away, and there is little evidence to suggest a relationship with James
Burk.

* From the
“Preston Register”

1758
September 1: James Burk was paid for 108 days of Augusta County military
service with Colonel William Preston or Colonel John Buchanan and may have
served as a scout for hostile Indians. Burks remaining time in Virginia was
now short.

A New Home in
Rowan County, North Carolina 1761+

1760 July 1: James
“Birk” and wife Lucretia, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, deeded to
Thomas Walker of Albemarle County for 40 pounds, 100 acres on the south side of
Goose Creek adjacent William Campbell’s line. The document was received 1 July
1761 by Thomas Walker who paid 40 pounds. Witnesses were William Ingles, James
Bane, John Hawkins, and John Buchanan. This document was delivered by Thomas
Madison on 11 March 1763. A number of these names were area leaders. This
deed states they were now living in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Record
searches in Cumberland County have been negative.

1761 December 21
- Rowan County, North Carolina: James Burk was deeded 440 acres in Rowan
County on both sides of Joseph’s Creek and extended north along the west bank
of the Yadkin River. This creek is now thought to be Forbush Creek in
present-day eastern Yadkin County.

1765 October
10: Men presenting claims for wolfs, panthers, and cats at the Rowan County
Court included James Burk, which could be either Senior or Junior.

1766 October
17: Rowan County court ordered a road to be laid out from Shallow Ford upon the
Yadkin River to the Ford, called the Etkin Fork. Names for the road jury
included Robert Forbush and James “Bourk.” .

1770 February
15 - Rowan County Court: Ordered that Thomas Mears, Valentine Vanhouser,
James Sheppard, Gideon Wright, James Glenn, Abrah Creson, Robert Forbus, James
Burk, Michael Baker, as a jury to lay out a road from Mr. Harts store,
crossing the Yadkin to Yallow Banks Ford and for thence to Edward Rigs new cut
road, from Allen Sawmill to the Shallow Ford at Smith’s cabin by the nearest
and best way...Hezikiah Wright from John Sneed’s Store to Ben Souls Creek, Jobe
Feltorn from then to the head of Forbushes Creek, John Allin from thence to
Smith’s Cabin.

This entry is not clear if the reference is to
James Sr. or Jr. Rowan County spun off into smaller counties with Surry in
1771, Guilford in 1771, Wilkes in 1777, Burke in 1777, and much later Yadkin in
1850.

1771 Surry County
tax: Benjamin, Joseph, and James Burk, Jr., but no Murphys or Morphews.

This John Burk couldn't be the grandson of James
Burk, Jr. who was born 23 July 1760. So who is this John Burk? See discussion
at the end of this chapter.

Burks in the
American Revolutionary War

The last years of James Burk were
interwoven with the American Revolution and were of great tragedy. Although
Burk himself took no active part (he was nearly 65), a list of sides that his
children took is quite revealing:

James Burk, Jr. joined and died in service for
the American Army. For his services, his son John received a square mile of
land in Surry County, North Carolina after the war.

The fortunes of the Tory side of
Burk’s family were even more tragic. Benjamin Burk became a Captain of an
irregular Tory militia made up of farmer-soldiers from Surry County, North
Carolina. On October 14, 1780, a band of 300 Tories left from Surry County to
join up with Cornwallis at Charlotte, North Carolina. Their leader was their
friend, Gideon Wright. Gideon had been an early settler of the area and was
instrumental in getting Surry County’s first courthouse built. The Patriots
learned about the Tory movement and laid an ambush at Shallow Ford, some 4
miles southeast of where the Burks lived. After the battle, the American
Colonel Parsley reported: “Fourteen of the enemy were found dead on the ground
among which were Captains Bryan and Burk.... The Tories escaped, all being
well mounted.” Legend has it that Captain Benjamin Burk was killed with a
sword by his nephew-in-law Captain George Pearis at Shallow Ford.

Joseph Burk did not fare better.
Patriot soldier William Benson sheds some light on Joseph. Benson stated he
was present and took part in the capture of Mark Adkins and a Joseph Burk of
Surry for harrying William Griffin of Surry. They had driven away Griffin’s
cattle and then butchering them for Tory use. He states that Adkins and Burk
were taken prisoner Benas camp in Henry County, Virginia where the Patriots
planned on hanging the pair. If the hanging took place, then this is another
Joseph Burk because our subject reportedly drowned in New River, Montgomery
County, Virginia in 1785, long after the war ended.

Will and Estate of
James Burk

In The Name of God, Amen

I, James
Burk of the County of Surry and State of North Carolina, Planter being in a
low State of health, I weak of Body but of Good, Perfect, & Sound Mind,
& Memory, knowing the Mortality of my Body and that it is Appointed for all
Men once to Die: Do make & Ordain this my Last Will & testament.

But
Principals I first of all I recommend my Soul into the hands of the Almighty
God who gave it, in sure & certain hopes that it will be restored again at
the Day of General Resurrection and my Body to the Graves to be Interred with a
Decent Christian Burial at the Direction of my Executors; And as touching such worldly
good wherein my God has been pleased to bless me with in my Life time I Will
& Dispose in the following Manner & form:

In primis, I
give leave and bequeath unto my Beloved Wife Lucretia Burk the whole and
sole management, possession, rights & profits of all my Estate both Real
and __(words lost in fold of paper) __ life at the end of which all remaining
after paying such legacies as I shall hereafter give to be all & every article
sold at auction and equally divided amongst all my children, viz between Mary
Murphew, Sarah Wilson, Joseph Burk, Naomi Pepper. Provided that if my
Negro wench Silvia should hence forth bring a living child on then the limits
of my said Wife's life that said child after my said Wife, deceased shall be
the property of her said Wife's daughter Lucretia Wilson. *

Item: I
give and bequeath unto my Grandchild Thomas Burk, a Negro Girl, born of
the Body of my Negro Silvia to be delivered to him when he shall arrive at the
age of twenty years old before which time said Negro Girl name Hannah shall be
kept together with the rest of my Estate, in my said Wife's hand & after
her decease in the executors until the boy's age as before mentioned. Likewise
on the same conditions & directions, I give unto my Grand Daughter,
Honora Burk my Negro Boy Ned to be delivered to her at the age of sixteen.

Item: I
leave unto my Son in Law, William Brookshire the sum of ten pounds good
& lawful money as in old times.

Item: I
leave unto my Daughter in Law, Mary Burk the sum of Five Pounds like
money. Also to her children now living to each of them five Pounds, Viz
– to Josiah Burk, Samuel Burk, Elizabeth Burk, John Burk & Benjamin
Burk.

And whereas
by the disobedience & unduly fullness of my eldest son James Burk, I
have had just cause to deny him or his heirs any part or portion of my living
take unto the other children. I leave unto him or them only the sum of five
shillings.

Item: I
leave unto Sally Colman, my Grand Daughter one Ewe & lamb.

I appoint
& constitute Samuel Pepper of Botetourt County in Virginia &
(nearly unreadable but reported) Moses Baker of this county to be my lawful
executors. And I do herby disallow, revoke & __ all former wills &
testaments by me here to for made. Allowing , Confirming & ratifying this
to be my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have here unto set my
hand & seal the fourth day of November Anno Domini 1782. Signed,
Sealed, Delivered, Pronounced, & Declared by the said James Burk to be his
Last Will & Testament in the Presence of Us – Andrew Speer, John Thos.
Longino – Juriat. Signed James (his mark "I") Burk. Entered in
February 1783 Court. (Surry County Wills, Book 2, Page 1)

In the will above, Thomas Burk, Honora Burk,
Josiah Burk, Samuel Burk, Elizabeth Burk, John Burk, and Benjamin Burk
"II" are children of Benjamin Burk who died at the Battle of Shallow
Ford in 1780. The 1797 will of Thomas Burk confirms the names of these
children - see his will below. Daughter-in-law Mary Burk is Benjamin Burk's
widow. Sally Colman is the daughter of James Morphew + Mary Burk (daughter of
James Burk). Several gedcoms have suggested some of the grandchildren belong
to a missing son named John Burk. All the grandchildren in James Burk's will are
now accounted for and do NOT include any from a John Burk.

Final Years and
Lucretia Burk

James Burk, Sr., died in 1783 at
old Surry County, N.C. in what is now Yadkin County, N.C. The revolution had
torn his family apart. His wife Lucretia Burk now shows up in the 1784 and 1786
Surry tax lists. This writer thinks she died in 1786 about the time of the October
estate sale.

This writer does not know who the parents might be
for (1) 1786 Benjamin Burk, (2) 1786 William Burk, and (3) John Burk, 1774,
1782, 1784, 1786.

Four children of James Burk, Sr. with their grandchildren
settled in Montgomery County, Virginia. They included (1) wife of Joseph Burk,
(2) Sarah Burk Wilson, (3) children of Benjamin Burk, and (4) Naomi Burk
Pepper.

Children of James
Burk + Mary Bane

Names and birth dates for the children need
greater accuracy. Les Tate helps us with better birth date estimations and
his dating is ear-marked by "^". James Burk's will named
grandchildren Honora Burk and Thomas Burk without stating who
their parents were. Now, there is proof that they are children of
Benjamin Burk.

^ Email courtesy Les Tatum, 1 April 2010

(I). Mary Burk was
born about 1731 and is thought to be the oldest daughter.^ Mary married James
Morphew on 9 October 1749 in western Virginia. Sally Coleman, who was in James
Burk's will, was Mary Burk Morphew's daughter, Sarah (Sally) Morphew Coleman.
See next generation in Chapter 2D and 2E.

(II). Honoura Burk wasborn estimated ~1733^ and possibly died between 1775 – November 1782.Her
name may be Honora or Honour. She must be dead by the time of her father's
will, which does not mention her, but does mention "my son-in-law, William
Brookshire." William Brookshire was born ~1730 and is still alive at the
time of 1782 Burk will. There is a William Brookshire I, II, III. Our
William should be "II," but separating them is not easy.

Locations and
Sightings for the Brookshires.

1751 August 29 -
Augusta County, Virginia Court: James Burk took William Brookshire to court
for debt. Brookshire "II" had or would become the husband of Honora
Burk, his daughter.

Augusta County Order Book III, page 170.

~1756: William
and Honora Brookshire moved to Randoph or Anson County, North Carolina about
1756 or so.*

1759 and 1770
Rowan County tax: Mannering Brookshire and William Brookshire.

1779 Randolph
County, North Carolina tax: Jesse Brookshire, Mary Brookshire, Swift Brookshire,
and Mannering Brookshire Sr. & Jr. are recorded individually on the 1779
Randolph County, North Carolina tax list.

1782: William
Brookshire, "son-in-law" is named in James Burk's will.

Children of
William Brookshire + Honour Burk*

Names and
dates of birth for the children vary somewhat:

(1). Mary Brookshire 8 August 1751

(2). Jesse Brookshire 16 January 1755

(3). William
Brookshire “III” 30 December 1756 to 1836 who married Mary Ann __ and lived in
Wilkes County, North Carolina and buried in the waters of the Kerry Scott
reservior,* William was a private in the North Carolina infantry and was
granted a pension.*

(4). Sarah Brookshire, after 1757

(5). Jemima Brookshire 17 February 1758

(6). James Brookshire 19 February 1760

(7). Honour Brookshire 21 December 1762

(8). Mannering
Brookshire 10 January 1768 was Cavalry Lieutenant in the North Carolina Militia
from Randolph County and was granted a pension. On 1790 Rowan County, NC tax
list with no land

(9). Benjamin
Brookshire 9 March 1770; On 1796 Rowan County, NC tax list with no land

(10). Melvina Brookshire 1 April 1773

(11). Levin Brookshire 12 May 1775.

*Courtesy of Robert Emery, emails of 4 and
6 January 2009

(III). Sarah Burk (born
about 1735^ and was still living in 1782) married about 1757 at Bedford County,
Virginia to Samuel Wilson, Sr. (born ~1733 and died 1804/06 Tennessee). Sarah
Wilson is listed in James Burk’s 1783 will.

Samuel Wilson is hard to trace because of others
with the same name. There was a Captain Samuel Wilson who was killed at the
Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774, who lived in western Augusta County (today's
Highland County). Charles Johnson points out he belonged to another clan, + and
had married Mary Babb. * In addition, there appears to be another Samuel
Wilson living near the Forks of the James River in Botetourt/Rockcastle County
area. This one is so poorly understood that more info is needed.

+ Courtesy of
Charles Johnson, e-mail of 21 January 2006 and 5 February 2006.

Charles Johnson believes Samuel Wilson + Sarah
Burk lived in Montgomery County and/or Rockbridge County, Virginia. Kegley^
narrows this further by stating the daughter of James Burk married Samuel
Wilson and lived on Ingles Mill Branch (most probably today's Wilson Creek**).
Wilson Creek flows into the North Fork of the Roanoke River, a few miles
southeast of today's Blacksburg, Montgomery County (old Botetourt before
1776/77), Virginia. Both Samuel Wilson, Sr. and Jr. cannot be identified in
military musters and a question is raised if they might be Quakers.

Probable sightings
for our Samuel Wilson + Sarah Burk:

Pre-1770: Location not yet determined. Bedford County,
Virginia?

1770 Botetourt
County (now Montgomery County): John Robinson, Abraham Chrisman and Samuel
Wilson to view the road from William Robinson's North Fork to the head waters
of Catawba. ^

1770 Botetourt
County: Samuel Wilson was appointed Constable for the North Fork of Roanoke.
^

1771 Botetourt
County: Samuel Wilson was deeded 262 acres on the North Fork of the Roanoke
River. ^

1774 (13 April): John
Robinson, Samuel Wilson, and David Robinson to review and report (about)...a
road from Jacob Brown's old place - mouth of Den Branch - down the North Fork
to Isaac Taylor's - Fork of Roanoke River. ^

1779 Montgomery
County: Henry Watterson and Samuel Wilson are appointed surveyors of the road
from Brown's on the North Fork to Peter Rieffs, with tithables payable from
residents on Bradshaws Creek, the Den and Inglish (Ingles) Creek. ^

1782 Montgomery
County land tax and personal property tax: Samuel Wilson is not on either one.
What happened to him and his son?

1794 (4 February)
Montgomery County: Deed from Samuel Willson of Montgomery County, Virginia to
William Heavins of same county for 140 pounds, 100 acres in Montgomery County
on Ingle's Creek, a branch of the Roanoak, adjacent John Davis and crossing
creek. (Signed) Sam ("S") Wilson. No witnesses. Montgomery County
March Court 1795. (B/2nd series of pages 184)

No date: Charles
Johnson added that later both Samuel Wilson Sr. and Jr. accompanied their
daughter, Theodocia Wilson Johnson to Sevier County, Tennessee. +

1804/06: One
researcher believes Samuel Wilson, Senior died there between 1804 and 1806. +

1809 Montgomery
County: Kegley states John Erhart purchased the old Wilson house which was
triangular in shape with a rock chimney at one angle and replaced it with a
four room log house.^

Children of Samuel
Wilson + Sarah:

(1). Mary “Polly” Wilson (1 January 1758 to 17 May
1843, buried in Lucas Cemetery) married on 15 February 1777 Montgomery County,
Virginia to Captain John Lucas (15 July 1749 to 19 April 1836) of Montgomery
County. According to Kegley, John Lucas acquired the old Ingles home place on
Ingles Mill Creek, married Polly Wilson, daughter of Samuel Wilson of Wilson's
Creek and became a prominent pioneer in old Montgomery County. ^ Captain John
Lucas has an American Revolution pension application naming his three children:
Theodocia Lucas, Samuel Wilson Lucas, and Susan Lucas. ***

1773 Botetourt
County Tithables taken by Benjamin Estill: John Lucas - 1

1774 Fincastle
County: John, William, and Charles Lucas were part of 11 Minute Men under
Captain Thomas Burk to protect William Preston at his Smithfield Plantation
near Blacksburg. Also, militia of Captain Michael Woods from Rich Creek
Mountain met and assisted them there. ^^

1776: Captain
John Lucas, commander of the Smithfield militia was ordered to defend the lead
mines and Fort Chiswell from Indians. ^^

1777: Captain
John Lucas and his company captured the local Tory troublemakers Duncan
O'Gullion, John McDonald, and others near Walker's Creek in today's Montgomery
County. ^^

1780: John Lucas
and his company fought at the Battle of Shallow Ford, Surry County, North
Carolina under Major Joseph Cloyd. ^^

(2). Samuel Wilson, Jr: Unable to trace.

(3). Theodocia Wilson (15 November 1773), married in
1794 to Benjamin Johnson (Johnston), son of Moses Johnson. They migrated to
Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee, and Benjamin died in 1804 at the age of
30. +

+ Courtesy of
Charles Johnson, e-mail 21 January 2006)

** Concerning
Ingles Mill Creek being today's Wilsons Creek: Library of Virginia Land Grants has
a record of a 20 July 1780 land grant to John Robinson "on a small branch
of Ingles Mill Creek called Cedar Run, a branch of Roanoke." Today's
Wilsons Creek also has a small branch called Cedar Run and this suggests that
the two creeks are the same.

(IV) James Burk (Jr. or
“II”) was born about 1737 and was died August 1776 while in patriot military
service during the American Revolution. Middle name has been reported to be
Edward, but source/proof doesn't exist. He married Amey __., and little is
known about her. After James Burk (Jr.) died, Amey remarried about 1777 to
Samuel Tate and had one child, Samuel Tate, born ~1780. His son John Burk was
born 23 July 1760, per his pension application.

Names of the children of James and Amey Burk are
poorly understood, but they had a son John Burk who was born 23 July 1760.
Only one heir was named to James Burk's military land entitlement, but there
may be several others. An undated record exists of "Benjamin and Amy,
children of James Bourk, deceased, (bound) to Francis Reynolds, Wilkes County,
North Carolina." * In addition, a 26 May 1784 inventory of the estate
of Robert Walker, deceased had certificates due from Benjamin Burk and John
Burk (listed next to each other). **

Most of the following
details for James Burk “II” and his son John is courtesy of Les Tate,
emails of 9 & 11 October 2008, 31 March & 14 April 2010. Thank you,
Les! John's Revolutionary War pension application greatly expands these
obscure years. Les also mentions that John spelled his surname as "Burk."

Locations and
Sightings for James Burk “II” and his son John Burk

1760 July 23: James
Burk “II” lived in what is now Rockbridge County, Virginia when his son John reported
he was born there on 23 July 1760.

1768, 1770 Rowan
County tithables (tax): "James Burk, Jr."

1771 Surry County
tax: "James Burk, Jr." Surry County was established 1771 from
Rowan.

1772 Surry County tax: James Burk x 2

1776 March: James
Burk “II” enlisted in the American Revolution with his 15 year old son John for
a three month tour in the Wilkes County, North Carolina "light horse"
mounted service under the command of Captain Jesse Walton.*** James was an
ensign for his company. Their tour was spent in Rowan, Surry, and Wilkes
County North Carolina.

An aside note for 1776: Colonels
Jesse Walton and Benjamin Cleveland (Surry County, N. C.) defended the Watauga
and Nolachucky settlements from Cherokee attacks. Later in 1778, this same Walton
helped to establish Jonesborough, the first town in future Tennessee, then went
on to help locate and convene Tennessee's very first court house in Washington
County in May 1779.

According to John Burk, he was sent home by his
father at the end of the 3 month enlistment. In response to questions in the
pension application, John stated "I expect my father got a discharge for
each of us." However, in his narrative about his service, John indicated
James discharged John, then his father died in August 1776 while in service. Our
informant, Les Tate, could not find James' military service record.

What is known about James Burk's military service
is this: "John Burke," heir to James Burke “II” received 640 acres of
Surry County N.C. land from the State of North Carolina, as a grant entitled to
his father for 84 months of service in the Continental Line.

Courtesy of
George Gordon, email of 16 September 2005, from a D.A.R. Application and
"Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution,"
by N.C. Daughters of the American Revolution

John Burk's pension application says 84 months of
service, but must be incorrect. Revolutionary War records were filed in
Washington, D.C. and were burned by the British during the War of 1812-1814.
However, 640 acres given James Burk, Jr. was the amount of land given
commissioned ensigns and lieutenants and his son John stated his father was an
ensign.

1778/79
Washington County, North Carolina/Tennessee: John stated that he
"remained with the family" following his father's death until 1779
when the family "removed to the west" on the waters of the "Nole
Chucke (Nolichucky River) in Washington County, North Carolina, which is now in
Tennessee. This moved included Samuel + Amey Burk Tate, but no one stayed
very long.

1779: John Burk
served as an Indian spy on 3-4 short tours of 10-30 days each under Captain
Amos Bird. In 1780, he served again as a Tory spy in South Carolina under
Captain William Richie for 2-3 weeks. Next, he returned to North Carolina for
a 3 month tour under Captain Samuel Johnson, but was never attached to any
troops and was released after 2-3 week.

1779 Wilkes
County: Samuel Tate applied for 3 parcels in Wilkes County land in 1779, but
never completed the transaction.

1781 June 6 - Wilkes
County, North Carolina: John Burk married "Alise Sebastin" (Mrs.
Alcy Robinson Sebastian) in Wilkes County with Henry Carter bondsman and George
Wheatley witness (county record). A Sebastian researcher stated he has a 1972
genealogical book giving her maiden name as Alise Sebastian, sister or daughter
of Benjamin Sebastian. A Texas DAR application listed her as Mrs. Alcy
Robinson Sebastian and gives her birth and death dates.

According to Les Tate, John Burk lived on the
Yadkin River in what is today's Wilkes County, North Carolina

1781 August: John
Burk was drafted for a 3 months tour under Captain Alexander Gordon (recorded
on Wilkes County tax lists 1772-1779), and was under the command of Colonel
Francis Locke. His unit joined the army of General Nathanial Greene, Commander
of the Southern Division in South Carolina. They passed through Camden,
Columbia and participated in the Battle of Eutaw Spring on 8 September 1781. Here,
John was part of two small battalions from North Carolina under a French
Colonel whom he misnamed, but was Marquis Malmedy. After the battle, he
marched back to Salisbury in charge of English prisoners under Captain Gordon
and was discharged.

1786 Surry
County, North Carolina: Les Tate states James Burk's 1786 estate inventory
and sale in 1786 do not belong to James Burk, Sr., but to his son, James Burk,
Jr. The executors of James Senior's 1782 will were Moses Baker and brother-in-law
Samuel Pepper. The 1786 inventory and estate sale indicate that Amey Burk and
Samuel Tate were administrators. This Amey Burk is thought to be his
widow.

1787: North
Carolina State Census for Wilkes County indicates John Burk's family had one
male 21-60; 3 males less 21 or 60+, and 4 females. Two entries away is Francis
Reynolds who has one male 21-60, 4 males 21 or 60+, _ females. Reynolds had
taken on two other Burk children.

1795: Patricia Givens
Johnson states “In 1795, (John Burk) moved from Wilkes County, North Carolina
to Kentucky, and lived there until 1811 when he moved to Wayne County, Indiana
where he lived till death, 1 February 1836.” An 1815 Indiana census (only
final numbers survived) showed Wayne County had 1225 white males 21+ and a
total of 6407 population.

Irish Burks of
Colonial Virginia and New River by Patricia Givens Johnson, 1992

1799 to 1810
Jessamine County tax: John Burk with 1 male adult 21+; 2 male adults 16-21
years of age 1801-1803; one male adult 16-21 1804, 1806-1808, and no slaves.
Not on 1809 tax record, but instead is: James Burk with 1 male adult 21+. 1799
is first year Jessamine tax records were saved.

In review, 1810 census shows 2 males 10-16
(1794-1800). These two could be John Burk “II”, born 22 February 1797 and
Lewis Burk, 23 November 1799. Next is 1 male and 1 female 16-26 (1784-1794)
who could be Jessie Burk, Nov. 1791 and Mary Burk 18 April 1787). The one
female 26-44 should be Alsy Burk and the 1 male 45+ (>1765) should be John
Burk “I,” ~1760. Dorcas Burk is already 16 and may be living elsewhere. This
appears to be an excellent fit.

1811 March –
Wayne County, Indiana: “The first (Wayne County, Indiana) court was held 25
February 1811…. The next session of the court was held at the same place the
next month. A grand jury was for the first time impaneled in the county. The
names of the jurors were: (included) John Burk.”

1811 - 1836
Wayne County, Indiana: John applied for a Revolutionary War soldier's pension
in 1818, but was turned down because the only paper he had was for a militia
unit. In 1831, Indiana General Assembly and its Governor helped John obtain
his pension. The pension application shows that he died 1 February 1836. He
is buried in the Elkhorn Cemetery.

Children of John
Burk “I” + Alcy Robinson Sebastian (i) to (vii):

(i). James Burk
(born 13 November 1782 and died __), 1st son of John Burk ‘I”
(1760-1836) + Alcy Robinson: James Burk married Sallie Turner, daughter of
Arthur Turner, a Baptist clergyman and Revolutionary soldier, according to
Patricia Givens Johnson. * A Revolutionary War pension application and will
for Turner have not been found. Turner’s wife is reported on ancestry.com to
be Mary Ann Bartlett. Johnson reports James Burk died in 1863* but where he was
living after 1820 needs to be found. He is difficult to trace in his later
years as he seems to be moving about, possibly as a roving craftsman or
merchant such as a blacksmith, carpenter, or trader. Knowing his occupation
could be useful. Marriage location of Shelby County for his sons Arthur
Turner Burk (m - 1827) and Edward A. Burk (m -1833) might suggest James Burk
was in the area near Shelby County when they married.

1804 May 7 –
Woodford County: Marriage of James Burk to Sally Turner, and is signed by James
Burk and her father Arthur A. Turner.

“I recently obtained the marriage
record for Sally Turner and James Burk. It is dated 7 May 1804 in Woodford
County, Ky. It is signed by James Burk and her father, Arthur A. Turner….” -
Joyce, 25 July 2001 at 7:04:53. Unable to confirm, but timing is excellent
and Turner lived in the county. Familysearch.org has early Woodford County
marriage records, but the Burk-Turner marriage is not one of them. – JM.

On line –
Genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/burke/2967/ from Joyce.

1809 Jessamine County, Kentucky Tax: James Burk – one while
male 21+ and 1 horse.

1820 US Census
of Henry County, Kentucky: Jas. Burk, 5 males 0-10, 1 male 10-16, 1 female
16-26, 1 and 1 female 26-45. Arthur Turner is also on this Henry County census
and appears on its yearly tax 1814, 1817-1818. In 1820 and 1821, there is a
Hannah Turner on the tax records. Turner probably died here.

(questionable)
1822 Woodford County, Kentucky tax: James Burk - 1 white male 21+, also listed as
one white male in town over 21+, no other data.

1826 Shelby
County tax: James Burk with 1 white male 21+ and no horse. (Shelby tax checked
through the year 1837.)

1830/1840 US
Census – cannot find.

(probably) 1841
Daviess County, Kentucky tax: James Burk, 1 white male and no other stats.

Reported Children of James Burk (1782 to ?) and Sally
Turner (1) to (4):

(1) to (3) From ancestry.com family trees

1810 and 1820 census records indicate James
Burk had 6 or 7 sons and 1 daughter. There are several other Burks marrying in
Shelby County during these years, but census ages for 2 of 3 do not match his
children age ranges; a third couldn’t be found on census records. The latter
three may belong to Samuel Burk (or Burks), who is taxed in Shelby County
1814-1824 and who later possibly moved to Boone County, Indiana.

(1). Arthur Turner Burk (reported ~1806/07 probably Woodford
County, Kentucky to 12 August 1877), son of James Burk (1782), married in 1827
to Mary Ann Ellis in Shelby County.

1836 to 1845
Daviess County, Kentucky tax: Arthur T. Burk, Berk, Burke – 1 white male 21+
with up to 4 horses. Eighty-five acres on Panther Creek in 1844 and 86 acres
in Ohio County, Kentucky in 1845. Usually no acreage is mentioned and is
probably leasing or renting. Tax not checked after 1845.

(i) William A. Burk (1830 Daviess County, Kentucky to 15
August 1863 Illinois), son of Arthur T. and Mary Ann Burk, (1782), married
Ruann Clark. Burk died in Civil War, 38th Illinois Infantry, from
Logan County, Illinois.

“Burk, James H., farmer, Section 21, Lawndale. …born 3
September 1853 in Logan County (Illinois). His father William A. Burk, who was
born in Davis (Daviess) County, Kentucky in 1830 was one of the early settlers
in Logan County, having come here when 18 years of age. He was married in 1851
to Ruann Clark, who was born in 1829, in Illinois. William A. Burk died 15
August 1863. His son, James H. Burk owns a farm of 160 acres valued at $8000
and has 1 daughter, Mary who is married to U.C. Killebrew.”

History of
Logan County, Illinois: Its Past and Present by Donnelley, Loyd and Company,
1878, page 519

(2). Edward Anthony Burk (17 September 1811, probably
Woodford County, Kentucky to 20 June 1873 Lathrop, Clinton County, Missouri,
buried at Lathrop Cemetery, Lathrop, Clinton Co.), son of James Burk (1782),
married Nancy King in 1833 Shelby County, Kentucky.

(3 - probably)
Bartlett James Burk or James Bartlett Burk (3 November 1818 Kentucky to 17
April 1905 Lathrop, Clinton County, Missouri and buried Lathrop Cemetery,
Lathrop, Clinton County, Missouri). Married 1st 1839 Butler
County, Kentucky to Amanda James (~1817 to 1883) and 2nd 1885 to
Violet Carter (October 1832 to 1912 Clinton Co. Missouri). Parents (unnamed)
of B. J. Burk were both born North Carolina, per 1900 census. Connection to
the Burk genealogy line appears to be the Bartlett name, wife of Arthur Turner.
More evidence would be useful.

1839 through
1850 – Butler County, Kentucky tax: Bartlett J. Burk/Burke or B. J. Burk/Burke,
mostly with 1 lot in town – Morgantown, and usually with 1 horse. No other
Burk. Tax record not checked after 1850.

(4 - Possibly) Daniel S. Burk (1811/12 to ~1850) of Daviess
County, Kentucky. Lacks proof, but the only other Burks in Daviess County
during 1842-1845 were Arthur T. Burk and Edward A. Burk. James Burk preceded Daniel
S. by one year in 1841 Daviess County.

(ii). William Burk (13 February 1785 to May/July
1820), son of John Burk ‘I” (1760-1836) + Alcy Robinson: William Burk married
about 1807 to Nancy _ . Nancy Burk was born ~1785 and died 11 November 1838,
wife of William, at age 53 and buried at the Burke Cemetery, Oronoko Township,
Berrien County, Michigan, per findagrave.com).

(possibly) 1810
US Census of Shelby County, Kentucky: William Burk, 1 female under 10, 1 male
and 1 female 26-45 (1765-1784). He should be age 25 in this census. Shelby
County tax records for the year 1810 were lost, but remaining Shelby tax
records from 1792 to 1829 never name any William Burk. He was there briefly.

~1811 Wayne
County: Grand Jury for George Holman included William Burk.

Memoirs of
Wayne County and City of Richmond, Indiana, Henry Clay Fox, 1912, p/64

1812 Wayne County Militia: (includes) William Burk.

Indiana
Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index 1790-1890, as found on
ancestry.com. Another record states “Lt. William Burk,” but does not list
his home county.

1812? - Wayne
County, Indiana: From History of Wayne County: “Lazarus Whitehead, in 1806
settled on land now owned by John Sedgwick. ‘William Burk,’ on land now a part
of the farm of Stephen Farlow. Wright Lancaster, from NC in 1808…. “ Wayne
County was established 1810 from Dearborn + Clark Counties, and Indian Lands. Dearborn
County Courthouse burned in 1825 and many records were lost.

History of
Wayne County, Indiana, by Andrew White Young, 1872

1815 June –
Wayne County Court Term: US versus Joel Ferguson. Jury included William
Burke. Same term, U.S. versus John Meek. Jury included William Burke. (Wayne
County Record Book 1)

DB B/329-330
from Early Settlers of Indiana’s “Gore” 1803-1820 by Shirley Keller Mikesell,
2008. Land is slightly NW of the village of Boston, Boston Township.

1818 April 27 –
Wayne County: Land Patient to William Burk and William Reynolds, no acres
mentioned but appears to be 160 acres, S20 T13N R1W, NW1/4. Land Office at
Cincinnati. Not Cancelled. Document Type – Credit Volume Patent. (accession
#CV-0038-543, Document # None.) Land is in the NW side of Boston Township,
Wayne County.

Bureau of Land
Management, General Land Office Records, (BLM Glo Records).

1820 May 20 –
Wayne County: Will of William Burk (worn, difficult to read) of Wayne County,
Indiana (abstract). Bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy Burk all the property of
which I am possessed…to raise and maintain my children…if she should think
proper to marry thereafter, then she is to receive one share with all my lawful
children, named as follows: Florinda, Eliza, Aley,* Moses,** Mary, R?___,*** and
Betsy Burk. Executors to be John Collings and John Burk, Jr. Witnesses –
Lewis Burk, William Watson, Henry Rich, John Banks and one name can’t read. Entered
date can’t read or cut off. (WB 1/51)

** Name
difficult to read, mostly likely Moses with long final vertical tail to “s.”

*** Name
extremely worn and handwriting sloppy; one interpretation is “Rene,” but final
letters end into a short broad line. Consider name to be unreadable in the
microfilm.

~1820 July 17
- Wayne County Probate Court: Light struck and badly worn – can only read
“Lewis Burk…three of them…. …John Collins, John Burk Executors.” Date
unreadable, but next probate following is dated 17 July 1820. (PB 1/22). Later,
Executor John Collins for William Burk, deceased, found estate in deficit and
land had to be sold off, still leaving the estate with a final debt. Wife’s
name and children are never mentioned. (PB 1/69, 1/141, 1/195 – Aug. 1828 with
PB = Probate Book)

1838 November
11 – Berrien County, Michigan: Nancy Burk died 11 November 1838, wife of
William, at age 53 and buried at the Burke Cemetery, Oronoko Township, Berrien
County, Michigan, per findagrave.com). ^^ Nancy migrated to Michigan with her
daughters Eli Burk, Eliza Burk who married Elisha Hall, and son Moses Burk.

^^ In the same Berrien County,
Michigan cemetery without gravestones, the following are reported: Andrew Burk
- died September 1838, Margret Burk – died September 1838, and Leander Burk –
died 7 February 1841. Non-related Burks live nearby including Andrew L. Burk
(born 1813), who belongs to a different Burk line - son of John Burk (~1763
probably Augusta County, Va. to 1738 Berrien Co, Mi.); grandson of Capt. Thomas
Burk (~1741 – 1808 Giles Co. Va.); and great grandson of Peaked Mountain
William Burk (died 1754 Augusta County, Virginia). The Andrew Burk who died
September 1838 in Berrien County may be misidentified for John Burk (~1763).

(v). Jesse Burk (22
November 1791 to 1838+), son of John Burk ‘I” (1760-1838+) + Alcy Robinson: According
to Johnson, Jesse Burk died young,* but records show he lived until at least
1838. He has a Wayne County, Indiana marriage record (county record) 30 March
1817 to Betsy Watson (~1792 – 1850+). One child – Andrew Burk was born in
Michigan about 1836, which should be Berrien County. On census records, our Jesse
Burk had the following sons - 1 male born 1817 to 1820 and 1 male born
1820-1825, and one son born 1836.

(questionable)
1837 March 15 – Boone County, Indiana: US Land Grant, office Indianapolis to
Jesse Burk of Boone County, Indiana. NE quarter of NE quarter of S8, T19N, R2E
for 40 acres. This land is in Sugar Township, Boone County.

Bureau of Land
Management, General Land Office Records, (BLM Glo Records).

1838 October 6
– Berrien County: Jesse Burke and Elizabeth his wife of Berrien County deeded 6
October 1838 to Elisha Hall of same county for $150 a tract of land lying in
Berrien County, certificate 6757 given by Thomas Sheldon, Executor of the Land
Office at Bronson 13 July 1835, SE quarter of NE quarter of S28, T6S, R18W, 40
acres. Signed: Jesse Burk (seal), Elizabeth “x” Burk. Witnesses: Samuel “x”
Shernely, E. Ballinger. Entered 6 October 1838. Elizabeth Burke, wife of said
Jesse Burk acknowledged above deed. (DB E2/485)

Elisha
Hall’s wife was Elizabeth Burk, daughter of William Burk and niece to Jesse
Burk. On 14 September 1841, Elisha Hall and his wife Eliza of Berrien County
sold this land to Moses Burk, brother of Eliza Burk Hall (DB2/579). On 17
September 1852, Moses Burk and Mary Ann Burk his wife of Berrien County deeded
this land back to Elisha Hall for $300 (DB V/311).

(1). Male born
1817-1820 per 1820 and 1830 US Census combined with Jesse’s 30 March 1817 marriage
date. Jesse Burk’s next male son was born 1820-1825. One of them is John D.
Burk and the other is unnamed who could be the following:

William Russell Burk (born
1820 Wayne County, Indiana per documented evidence) is placed here by excluding
other Burk parents in 1820 Wayne County. Further evidence would be useful since
there is a widow Polly Burk (ca 1790) with young six children in the 1820 US
Census of Wayne County (last census image). What happened thereafter has not
been found. This is not the same Polly Burk (born 1802) who married Isaac
Williams in nearby 1825 Union County, Indiana and migrated to Berrien County,
Michigan. This last younger Polly Burk was the daughter of John Burk (~1763 to
1838 Berrien County, Michigan) and wife Margaret Davison.

William Russell Burk was born
1820 Wayne County, Indiana (county listed in his Mexican War enlistment
document), married 1849 at Jo Daviess County, Illinois to Lydia Hanks Likins
(1831/32 Illinois) and lived in Logan County, Illinois and later in Sangamon
County, Illinois.

My
appreciation goes to John Meacham for information on William Russell Burk
(below), courtesy emails of May, June, and July 2015 and to ancestry.com
listings.

1848 March 29
- enlistment Illinois: William R. Burk, age 28, 5 foot 10 inches, born “Wayne
County, Indiana,” farmer, enlisted in the War with Mexico and was discharged 4
July 1848 at expiration of service, Private. (Doesn’t say if he enlisted at an
earlier time, but information is from enlistment paper).

(2). John D.
Burk (1820 Indiana per 1850 census), son of Jesse and Elizabeth Burk. Difficult
to trace due to multiple John Burks. If he survived the Civil War, a family
record may be needed to separate him from others.

(3). Maria Burk
(1831/32 Indiana). In 1860, either (1) living with family of Lewis Burk,
Banker, in Richmond Township, Wayne County but age given is 22, or (2) with the
family of John Garr (age 67), a merchant, same location, as a seamstress, age
29.

(vii). John Burk, Jr. or “II”
22 February 1797 to >1870 Boston Township, Wayne County, In. and buried
Greenlawn Cemetery, Franklin, Wayne Co. In., unknown date), son of John Burk
‘I” (1760-1836) + Alcy Robinson: John Burk married 15 November 1821 Union
County, Indiana to Margaret “Peggy” Yaryan or Yeager (county record, several
spellings) – born ~1800” and buried same cemetery, unknown date. Union County
was formed 1821 in part from Wayne County.

1860 and 1870
US Census of Boston Township, Wayne County: John Burk born Kentucky and wife
Margaret Burk, born Tennessee. In 1860, adjacent to George W. (age 38) and
Mary A. Stephenson (32) family. In 1870 living with Geo. W. (age 49) and Mary
A. Sheaphens (Stephenson) age 43 and family.

Children of John Burk “II” + Peggy “Margaret” Yaryan or Yeager,
per census

In 1816, “Lewis Burk cut in one
day the logs for (a blacksmith) building, including the ribs and weight poles,
on Smith’s land about two squares east, for 75 cents, the job being considered
about three days’ work. ..Lewis Burk, about the year 1817, commenced the
(blacksmith) business 2.5 miles south of town and afterward worked as
journeyman and in his own shop about 12 years.”

“Lewis Burk was born near Lexington,
Kentucky, 23 March 1799. He removed early to this state with his father, who
settled about a mile and a half south from where Richmond now is. He worked on
the farm a few years, and went back to Kentucky to learn the blacksmith’s
trade, and returned after three years. His trade not furnishing him constant
employment, he took up that of stone-mason, working alternately at each. …In
1831, he built, and for several years kept, the tavern-house which he sold to
the late Daniel D. Sloan, at present the property of A. M. Miller, on Main
Street. In 1840, he was elected a representative to the legislature and
afterward to the senate. In 1852, he commenced the banking business as an
individual banker. He continued this business until after the passage of the
national banking law, when he sold his banking house and appurtenances to James
E. Reeves. Mr. Burk was married to Maria Moffitt, 27 November 1823. They had
five children, of whom only one, Mary Jane, lived beyond the period of childhood.
She is the wife of Isaac H. Richards, merchant, now residing at Springfield,
Missouri.”

History of
Wayne County, Indiana, by Andrew White Young, 1872, page 368, 413

1869 October
26 – Richmond, Wayne County: Quaker marriage of Isaac H. Richards to Mary J.
Burke (born 16 June 1841), daughter of Lewis and Maria Burk. Six children. This
is the only Quaker record for Burks in Wayne and Union Counties.

Abstracts of
the Records of The Society of Friends in Indiana, Volume 1, Whitewater and
Springfield Monthly Meeting, Wayne County, Ruth Dorrel and Thomas D. Hamm,
1996, page 50

(V). Benjamin Burk
was born about 1739^ and died 14 October 1780 at the Battle of Shallow Ford,
North Carolina. He was a Captain under the Tory Colonel Gideon Wright. Formerly,
Benjamin’s wife was reported to be Mary Grant, sister to Margaret Grant who
married Joseph Burk. The author Johnson counters this by stating Benjamin Burk
married Mary Eliot who was dead by 1782, ^^ but Mary was still living in
1784. Clues favor the Eliot/Elliot surname. Some of their children moved to
Montgomery County, Virginia.

1779 - Surry
County: Benjamin Burk's land was mentioned in the following land entry
request. Thomas Church entered 200 acres of land in Surry County on Forbis’s
Creek water including Benjamin Burk’s improvement for quantity on January 2,
1779 and the warrant was granted.

1780 October 4 - Surry
County: Benjamin Burk died at the Battle of Shallow Ford

1784 August 30 - Surry
County: The inventory and return of the Benjamin Burke, deceased, estate was
returned by John Thomas Longina and signed by Mary "x" Burke,
administrix. This 1784 inventory listed 800 acres in two tracts, 115 bushels
of corn, two feather beds, 3 chairs, as returned by Mary Burke, administrator.
There were purchases from Robert Forbus, Moses Baker, Benjamin Eliot and James
Burk Sr.(?) in amount of 22.9.6 pounds. Collections came from Hugh Logan,
Joseph Burk, Thomas Elliot which made a balance of 18:11:9 pounds. Witness was
Henry Speer and this inventory was recorded in November 1785 Court.

Surry
County, N.C. Wills 1771-1827 by Jo White Linn

Children of
Benjamin and Mary Grant Burk

per will of Thomas
Burk (see below)

(1). Josiah Burk had a Giles County bond on 13 May
1806 Giles County to Rebecca Bean, daughter of James Bean, with Bean probably
being "II." Giles County was established from Montgomery in 1806. Josiah
had a second marriage bond on 5 April 1813 in Giles County to Polley Orr,
daughter of Alexander Orr. ** Johnson reports descendants in Lee County,
Virginia. ^^

Josiah Burk is found on the 1810 U.S.
Census of Giles County, Virginia by himself, as a male between ages 26-45. An
1815 tax list notes an Alexander and Margaret Orr to James and Andrew Orr deed
on Walker's Creek, adjacent to Josiah Burk and the foot of Brushy Mountain.
One gedcom states Josiah Burk died 1816, but information cannot be confirmed.

(2). Samuel Burk (born ? to 1815) married Nancy/Ann Sovain

1810 U.S.
Census of Montgomery County: Samuel Burk is recorded by himself, between ages
26-45 (born between 1765 - 1784).

1815
(October) Montgomery County: Samuel Burk wrote his Montgomery County, Virginia
will and named only his wife Nancy Burke. His estate included one house on
Tom's Creek and another on Church Street in Blacksburg, Montgomery County,
Virginia. Executor was his "friend" (and cousin) Jesse Pepper (son
of Samuel Pepper). Samuel signed his will with "Burke" spelling,
which was entered in December 1815 Court.

1816
Montgomery County: John Pepper (another son of Samuel Pepper) and Samuel's
widow Nancy Burk purchased property at the estate sale in 1816. Samuel Burk
lived several miles north of Samuel Wilson who married Sarah Burk, daughter of
James Burk + Mary Bane.

1830 U.S.
Census of Montgomery County: Nancy Burk, household total of 2 females, 1 -
20-30 and 1 - 30-40 years of age.

(3). Elizabeth “Betsey” Burk has a marriage bond on
21 July 1808 Giles County to Hiram Davis (county record). She was named in
Samuel Pepper's 1804 will.

(4). John Burk is difficult to trace with the first
name being so common. There is a Montgomery County marriage record on 4 August
1786 to Mary Cloud (Montgomery County Record), who may or may not be him. ^^
** Later on 11 August 1797, there is another Montgomery County marriage
record of John Burk to Effie Boaine, without any parents being named. John
Burk is in the 1797 will of his brother Thomas Burk, but this writer is unable
to trace further.

(5). Honora (Honor) Burk has a Montgomery County
marriage bond on 27 July 1790 to John Solomon Peterson. She is named in the
1797 will of her brother, Thomas Burk.

(6). Benjamin Burk is on his brother Thomas Burk's
1797 will at a location not known and unable to trace further.

(7). Thomas Burk (estimated born ~1773) was a
bachelor.

1780 July 29: The
following appears to be a different older Thomas Burk but be aware: A certain
"Thomas Burk" is labeled a Loyalist in Montgomery County, Virginia
and posted a bond to Thomas Jefferson, Governor of Virginia for his future good
behavior. * ++ Later in 1780 or 1781, he briefly served in Capt. John Lucas'
Company of Patriot Militia and Thomas Ingles's Company of Militia in April
1781.

1793 April 15 -
Montgomery County: Know all me, that I, Thomas Burk, orphan using(?) 20
years of age in order to obtain necessary clothing and apparel in consideration
(for) 12.6.0...bargained and sold unto William Pepper for 60 pounds, half of
these in seed merchantable, (the remainder to) pay 4 June 1794, one negro girl
named Hannah about 13 years of age and devised to me, Thomas Burk, by my
Grandfather James Burk, deceased. Signed - Thomas Burk Witnesses were Charles
Taylor, James Ripley, William Preston. 15 April 1793: Received of William
Pepper 4 pounds, 4 shillings, being an allowance with mentioned sum of 12
pounds 6 shillings. Signed: Thomas Burk (B/205)

1797 February -
Montgomery County: Thomas Burk's will was entered into February 1798 Court,
naming four brothers - Josiah Burk, Samuel Burk, John Burk, and Benjamin Burk;
two sisters being Honor Peterson and Betsy Burk. Witnesses were James Pepper,
James Bane, William Pepper, and Joseph Pepper, with all the Peppers being sons
of Samuel Pepper.

^ Email
courtesy Les Tatum, 1 April 2010 who gives us our best birth date estimates for
the children of James Burk, Sr.

++ The Preston
and Virginia Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts by the Historical
Society of Wisconsin, 1915, 5QQ, page 47.

* On the 1782
Montgomery County, Virginia land tax and personal property tax list were 3
Thomas Burks. One had to be Capt. Thomas Burk, who wouldn't sign a patriot
loyalty pledge, but remained inactive during the 1779-1781 years. Patricia
Givens Johnson never mentions that he had a son named Thomas Burk (Jr.). She
also thinks that Thomas Burk, son of Joseph Burk being this loyalist, ^^ but
evidence suggest he was born about 1773. But to whom did the second and
third Thomas Burk belong?

** Marriages
in the New River Valley: Montgomery, Floyd, Pulaski, and Giles County by
Therese A. Fisher, 2008.

(VI). Joseph Burk/Burke
was born about 1744^ and had a marriage bond to Margaret "Margret" Grant
on 29 December 1766 at Rowan County, N.C. The bond was by John England,
James Burk, and Gideon Wright (county record). * Joseph Burk died 1785/86 at
Montgomery County, Virginia, where the family was reported living near Samuel Pepper
on New River. There is a Giles County marriage bond of a "Margret Burk"
"'probably' daughter of William Burk, Sr." to William Lilly on 16
August 1808. Johnson indicates William Burk, Sr. had no such daughter. ^^ As
a result, this latter Margret Burk is not understood. It appears our Margaret
Grant Burk did not remarry.

Joseph Burk and Margaret Grant lived the following
areas:

1768, 1770
Rowan County, North Carolina taxable records

1771, 1774
Surry County, North Carolina taxable

1775 February
14: “James Burk, Sr.,” deeded by quit claim to Joseph Burk 200 acres with appurtenances
in Surry County on both sides of Joseph Creek. Witnessed by John England and
Hugh Lewis and signed by James Burk (“J B” – his mark). Acknowledged in
February 1775 court.

1785
Montgomery County, Virginia: Joseph Burk of this county sold Surry County
land.

1785 February
2: Joseph Burk, of Montgomery County, Virginia, deeded 21 acres of Surry County
land to Thomas Elliot of Surry County on south Joseph’s Creek. Signed Joseph
(“B” – his mark) Burk and entered February term 1785.

1796 January
5 - Montgomery County: Henry Carty deeded to Margaret Burk, both of Montgomery
County for 6 dollars, 98.5 acres in Montgomery County at the head of Meadow
Creek waters of New River. (B/219 second page series)

1802
September 22 - Virginia State Land Office Grant to Margaret Burk, 50 acres of
land in Montgomery County on the head of Meadow Creek waters of Little River, a
branch of New River and adjoining Francis Gardnor. (Library of Virginia online)

1810 U.S.
Census of Montgomery Count, Virginia: Margaret Burk, Samuel Burk, and Jonathan
Burk are listed. Margaret is listed age 45+ and has a household of 2 females
26-45, 2 males 0-10, and 1 male 16-26.

1815 November
15 - Montgomery County: Margaret Burk deeded to Charles Yearout, both of
Montgomery County, (1) a tract or parcel of 98.5 acres conveyed to her by Henry
Carty 5 January 1796, (2) the other a part of a patent of 50 acres dated 22
September 1802 Montgomery County...head of Meadow Creek and waters of New
River...adjoining Henry Carty's land. Signed: Margaret ("x") Birk.
Witnesses were James Craig, Jacob Yearow, Horatio Smith. Entered Court December
1815. (D/71)

1820 U.S. Census
of Montgomery County: Margaret Burk with a household of 6 members.

Names of children of Joseph Burk and Margaret
Grant are uncertain and the following list follows that from Patricia Given's
Johnson. ^^ To this writer, several marriages seem so late that they raise
questions. There is also a Montgomery County marriage bond on 17 December
1794 for a Joseph Burk and Jane Roeburn, daughter of James Raeburn. This
Joseph Burk is not mentioned in other histories.

1830 U.S.
Census of Montgomery County: Jonathan Burk with a household of 10 persons.
Jonathan is age 50-59.

1833
Montgomery County: Catharine Burk, "daughter of Jonathan Burk,"
married on 15 February 1833 to William Thompson, son of Samuel Thompson (county
record). Also, there is a nearby 28 March 1833 Floyd County marriage record of
John S. Birk to Nancy Thompson, but parent names are not given.

(2). James
Burk may or may not be the James Burk in a Montgomery County marriage bond
on 14 December 1814 Betsy Cooper, daughter of John Cooper. ^^

(3). Mary
Burk, "daughter of Joseph Birk," has a Montgomery County marriage
bond on 28 December 1787 to Jacob Shull (Shell).

(4). Sarah
(Sally) Burk, "daughter of Margaret Burk," has a Montgomery
County marriage bond on 17 December 1789 Montgomery County to Richard Heaven.

(5). Naomi
Burk (27 October 1774 to >1866) has a Montgomery County marriage bond on
8 February 1798 to Boling (Bowley, etc.) Rogers (died 25 November 1841 in
Christiansburg, Va.). Rogers Revolutionary War pension application states
Jonathan Burk witnessed wedding. Naomi Rogers applied for a widow’s pension
on 27 February 1849 and stated she was living in Montgomery County, Virginia,
would be age 75 on 27 October 1849, and married Boling Rogers on 8 February
1798. Pension was restored after Civil War. In 1866, widow Naomi was
residing with son-in-law Philip Woolwine. (F-W1491 R2073)

(6). Nancy
Burk has a Montgomery County marriage bond on 4 October 1798, Virginia to
Jacob Douglass.

County
marriage records are as found in "Marriages in the New River Valley,
Virginia" by Thesese A. Fisher.

(VII). Naomi Burk was
born 1 February 1746 possibly in Virginia's Roanoke - Salem area and died 22
December 1824. Naomi married Samuel Pepper on 13 March, 1764 at Bedford
County, Virginia. About 1765, they moved to New River in Montgomery County,
Virginia. Speculation exists that after Naomi's mother died about 1748, she
was raised by her sister Sarah Burk Wilson. This could explain a Bedford
County connection.

Samuel Pepper established Pepper's Ferry over New
River in Montgomery County and "Pepper's Ferry Road" still exists in
this location. Samuel Pepper's parents were Robert Pepper and Sallie
Patterson. Samuel's sister married George Pearis and he may the George Pearis at
the Battle of Shallow Ford in 1780. Today’s Pearisburg, Giles County,
Virginia has its origins with George Pearlis or a son.

1770 June 28
- Botetourt County: Henry Paulin sold to Samuel Pepper 100 acres on the
north side of Woods River which was called Buffalo Pond.++

Comment: This land is adjacent the future Pepper's
Ferry on New River (formerly called Wood's River). Pepper's New River
location was in Augusta County, later Botetourt, later probably Fincastle, and
finally in Montgomery County.

1774 -
Fincastle County, Virginia Public Service Claims: Payment owed to "Samuel
Pepper for 84 forages and 2 diets." **

1779 March 3
- Montgomery County Court Order: "It appearing to this Court that a
Ferry across New River at Samuel Peppers is absolutely necessary for the safety
of the great number of travelers who are obliged to pass the river at the above
place. They do appoint a Ferry at Samuel Peppers across the River and do make
the following rates to be observed by said Pepper, for man and horse 2
(shillings)...." June 2, 1779 Court amended the man and horse charge to be
4 shillings for one year. *** Road to Pepper's Ferry was reported to run
between Carolina Road and Botetourt County.

1780 August -
Montgomery and Botetourt Counties: Court Proceeding by Justices – Following
persons tried for misbehavior and treason against the state: (included) Samuel
Pepper. ^^

Samuel Pepper
was an early Tory sympathizer in Montgomery County. Later to satisfy
Montgomery County officials, he was forced to enlist with Montgomery County
patriot militia or find a replacement, the latter of which he did.

1780: Letter
of Col. William Campbell to William Preston: (Compelled) enlistment of men
for militia service (is noted and) Samuel Pepper engage(d) a substitute (to
take his place in the military draft). ^^

1780 or 1781
- Montgomery County, Virginia Militia: William Pepper and Samuel Pepper, Jr.
under Capt. John Lucas' Company. ^

Comment: The single record of a
Samuel Pepper "Jr" raises questions and needs answers.

1781 March 24
- Montgomery County, Virginia Militia: List of men in Capt. Patton's Company
included Samuel Pepper.

1781 May 26: Col.
Stephan Trigg appointed Andrew Steele to be commissary for the Lincoln County
(now Kentucky) militia: Also mentioned without explanation were (Joseph)
Lindsay, (and) Samuel Pepper of Montgomery County. ^**

Comment: This Montgomery County
must be the one in Virginia because Montgomery County, Kentucky wasn't
established until 1796. Pepper was possibly a supplier for the commissary, but
this is speculation.

1781 November
11: (Colonel and later General) George Rogers Clark papers: "George
Slaughter paid #300 for forage at the Falls of Ohio (River) to Samuel
Pepper(?)" ^**

1782
Montgomery County, Virginia tax records: Samuel Pepper. ^

1785 May 22 -
Montgomery County: An account of David Louis, tax collection as a Deputy
Sheriff in Montgomery County, names included Samuel Pepper, James Bean, but no
Burks.

1804 September
25 - Montgomery County: Samuel Pepper wrote his will, naming his wife Naomi Pepper
and 4 living sons - William Pepper, James Pepper, John Pepper, and his youngest
son Jesse Pepper who was under 21. Sally Pepper, daughter of his deceased son
Joseph Pepper was named. Daughters named were Polly Heaven and Sally Pepper.
Betsey Burk (daughter of Benjamin + Mary Burk) was bequeathed two cows, two
calves and lambs. Acreage surrounding Pepper's Ferry was given to his
children. William Pepper and John Pepper were named executors.

Children of Naomi
Burk and Samuel Pepper:

(1). Mary “Polly”
Pepper was born 1 February 1765 and died 28 September 1830 Floyd Township,
Putnam County, Indiana – same township that James + RebeccaMorphew
were living. Mary Pepper married John Heavin (Haven)

(2). Joseph
Pepper (~1769 to ~1801 Montgomery County, Virginia), deceased, had his
estate appraised 10 October, 1801. On 9 November 1797 in Montgomery County,
he was a witness to the will of Thomas Burk, his cousin.

(3). James
Pepper (~1771)

(4). Sarah
“Sally” Pepper (~1773)

(5). John
Pepper (~1775) purchased items from the Samuel Burk Estate in 1814.

(6). William
Pepper (14 September 1776) has a Montgomery County marriage bond on 10
October 1791 to Jane Raeburn.

(7).
(possibly) Samuel Pepper, Jr. (not in will and needs confirming that he
existed).

(8). Jesse
Pepper (~1786 or so) was named in his father's 1804 will and inherited 2/3
of the profits arising from Pepper's Ferry when he reached age 21. His mother
received the remaining 1/3 of the ferry profits.

^
"Montgomery County's (Virginia) Revolutionary Heritage," by Ruby
Allizer Roberts, Cambia, Virginia as found on Family Tree Maker's
"Virginia in the Revolution and War of 1812, Military Records" on CD
by genealogy.com.

1774 - Surry
County and partial for 1775: Benjamin Burk, John Burk, and James Burk are in
Captain Martin Armstrong's District. Joseph Burk is in Captain Samuel
Freeman's District. This couldn't be John Burk, son of James Burk, Jr. who was
born 23 July 1760. The latter Burk was thought living in Wilkes County during
the 1782-1786 years. So who is this John Burk?

1781 December
17 - Surry County: William Rogers of Surry deeded to John Burk of Surry for
60 pounds money...on Rockey Creek Branch of Stewart's Creek. Witness: Robert
Harris (Jural) and Rick Hazelwood. Signed: William Rogers. (Surry County
Deed Book B, page 269)

1786 - Surry
County Taxable Property: John Burk, 200 acres in Capt. Humprhies District;
John Burk 300 acres in Capt. Willis District. There appears to be either 2
John Burks or the same individual with two separated taxable lands.

.

Comment: Stewart's Creek is in today's Surry
County and wraps tightly around the south end of the town of Mount Airy. This
land is far from the other Burks. Evidence to prove kinship may
require y-dna testing.